If baking soda can subdue the odor of a cat litter box, imagine what it can do under your arms... Yep. All by itself, or if you want, you can add talc or other powder to it at a ratio or half and half. Put it in a tin and keep it in the bathroom.
After you shower, pat dry your underarms and apply the powder with a dry washcloth or piece of a dishrag. The only time this is not a good plan is when you are wearing something sleeveless.
Okay, like I've been using this baking soda stuff as a deodorant now for a WHOLE month and I'm quitting! I've had it with the odor. At first it worked great, that was the first week, and I liked how I didn't have all that grimy deodorant-like stuff stuck in my pits as I tried to shave, but there has got to be something better than this! Isn't there? Enter the second week and the odor appeared and the third week, I was throwing in the towel, but I kept at it.
I also kept taking sneak sniffs to see how bad it was and see if I needed to reapply. I did that quite often, to no avail. It seems to work best on fresh, showered skin, but by the end of the day...peeeeuw! Where's the skunk? Oh, that's me! I even tried it as a hair wash, or rinse, really, and I didn't like that any better either. I find it works great as a toothpaste with a bit of peroxide.
FYI if you have white marks; Body sweat contains an acid called propionic acid which is similar to vinegar, which is also why sometimes sweat may smell vinegary. Baking soda is a base. And when you combine an acid and a base, you get salt. So those white marks are most likely salt.
People, I was desperate and I tried baking soda for about two weeks. I accidently discovered marks on my armpits that looked like burn marks. I used a rash medicine, it went away, but it came back a few days later. The second time around, I examined it closer and realized that it was more like an infection. I just tried tonight, baby diaper rash medicine. If it goes away and comes back, I am seeing a dermatologist. I have to admit, I am worried. Think about it, if baking soda is good for polishing silver, cleaning toilets, imagine what it could do to skin? I will keep you posted on my condition. Please don't try BP as deodorant - even if you do not have sensitive skin like me.
I was very happy when I found baking soda eliminates underarm odor-- I've been using it for about 5 months now. I've noticed though, that it isn't lasting throughout the day anymore - under my arms are becoming odorous again. I've applied more and more and now I have burn marks around my armpit from too much, I guess.
Are there any safe ratios for the amount of baking soda to use? I want a good recipe that won't burn and will last me all day. Can cornstarch be used alone for deodorant? Has anyone else noticed that baking soda stopped working for their body?
I've been wondering: if baking soda is a salt and I'm applying it to my pits (pores) is there any risk of having higher sodium/salt in my body? Should people who have to watch their salt intake not use baking soda on their bodies?
I've used alcohol to neutralize the odor before applying store bought deodorant. Can alcohol be used as an all day deodorant? Do you have to reapply throughout the day? What about for vinegar? Can it last all day?
I'd love a good option for deodorant for the days I want to be sleeveless--these white pits are drawing too much attention!
I really need help/answers to these questions. I need to smell as sweet as I look! It's summer time now and it's hot out here (at long last, I'm in Seattle)!
I also have heard of using baking soda as a natural underarm deodorizer. People with kidney disease need to be careful of the products they use under their arms.
I have sensitive skin, and ALL commercial brand deodorants, including organic and all natural ones give me huge sores and in some cases burns under my arms. I have been using vinegar, alcohol and various combinations of baking soda and cornstarch for years! I was glad to see so many people had also been using such a healthy alternative to underarm deodorant! The lavendar oil was a great idea I plan on trying out immediately!
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Tip: Natural Baking Soda As Underarm Deodorant
Archived on 05/27/2008
My favorite way to use baking soda for reasons both healthy and frugal is as an underarm deodorant. I have tried various natural deodorants and all have fallen short in controlling odor. Because baking soda balances ph levels and neutralizes acid, it works and I find the effects of it work all day long.
To make your own inexpensive and natural deodorant, combine equal amounts of baking soda and cornstarch. I add a few drops of pure lavender essential oil for fragrance (plus this works as a bacteria inhibitor) and place in a tightly sealed bowl, add a powder puff and voila!, you';ll have the most effective, simple and money saving natural deodorant one might find.
By earth heart from Polk, Ohio
Feedback:
RE: Natural Baking Soda As Underarm Deodorant
Another deodorant can be rubbing alcohol. Just put it in a spray bottle and spritz underarms. It is a disinfectant as well as deodorant. You can also use it as a hand sanitizer. (01/23/2008)
By suzin
RE: Natural Baking Soda As Underarm Deodorant
This is EXACTLY what I have been using as deodorant for almost 20 years now. I like to spray alcohol under my
arms (a squirt bottle works too) and when it's almost
dry I dust on some of my deodorant with the powder puff. In summer, or when I'm working outside in the heat,
I prefer to use white vinegar first. Make sure it is completely dry and then dust with the powder. It works better than anything else I've ever tried. Just be sure
the vinegar is dry or you will get that famous "volcano"
reaction as the dry baking soda comes into contact with the vinegar. Don't want a volcano under your arms! (01/23/2008)
By Patti
RE: Natural Baking Soda As Underarm Deodorant
I have a friend (an RN) whose husband (auto mechanic) has used this for decades, not because of health or environmental reasons, but because it works. (01/24/2008)
